Structural correlates of COMT Val158Met polymorphism in childhood ADHD: a voxel-based morphometry study. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Villemonteix, Thomas; De Brito, Stéphane A.; Slama, Hichem; Kavec, Martin; Balériaux, Danielle; Metens, Thierry; Baijot, Simon; Mary, Alison; Ramoz, Nicolas; Septier, Mathilde; Gorwood, Philip; Peigneux, Philippe; Massat, Isabelle
• Is Part Of: World journal of biological psychiatry. Volume 16:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 190
• Page End: 199
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) -- MRI -- voxel-based morphometry -- catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) -- structural imaging; Biological psychiatry -- Periodicals; Biological Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2014.984629
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1562-2975

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives. The Val158-allele of the catechol- O -methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met (rs4680) functional polymorphism has been identified as a risk factor for antisocial behaviour in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here, we used voxel-based morphometry to investigate the effects of Val158Met polymorphism on grey matter (GM) volumes in a sample of 7–13-year-old children. Methods. MRI and genotype data were obtained for 38 children with combined-type ADHD and 24 typically developing (TD) children. Four regions of interest were identified: striatum, cerebellum, temporal lobe and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Results. When compared to TD children, those with ADHD had a significant decrease of GM volume in the IFG. Volume in this region was negatively correlated with ratings of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. Furthermore, the smaller GM volume in the IFG was attributed to the presence of the Met158-allele, as only children with ADHD carrying a Met158-allele exhibited such decrease in the IFG. Children with ADHD homozygotes for the Val158-allele presented increased GM volume in the caudate nucleus when compared with TD children. Conclusions. This study provides the first evidence of a modulation of ADHD-related GM volume alterations by Val158Met in two key regions, possibly mediating the relationship between Val158Met polymorphism and antisocial behaviour in children with ADHD.